Compare the2022 Cadillac XT5VS 2021 Mercedes GLE

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XT5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GLE doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GLE doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The GLE doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The XT5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the XT5 and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The XT5’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLE’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the XT5’s reliability 56 points higher than the GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac 14th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the XT5 gets better fuel mileage than the GLE:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The GLE doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The GLE requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLE doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT5 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Mercedes GLE (5 to 6). This means the XT5 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GLE every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the XT5’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the GLE:

The XT5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the GLE 350 are solid, not vented.

The XT5 stops much shorter than the GLE:

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLE only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The XT5 AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the GLE 350 4MATIC pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XT5’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the GLE’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The XT5 w/20” wheels’ turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the GLE’s (39 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Cadillac XT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the Mercedes GLE.

The XT5 is 4.7 inches shorter than the GLE, making the XT5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The front step up height for the XT5 is 1.5 inches lower than the GLE (18.5” vs. 20”).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Insurance will cost less for the XT5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT5 will cost $2040 to $5910 less than the GLE over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT5 is less expensive to operate than the GLE because typical repairs cost much less on the XT5 than the GLE, including $355 less for a water pump, $134 less for front brake pads, $281 less for a starter, $155 less for fuel injection, $201 less for a fuel pump, $300 less for front struts and $406 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac XT5 will be $9198 to $21389 less than for the Mercedes GLE.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLE isn't recommended.